The Halloween Dance

by Tennessee

October started out pretty. The wind was cool, but the sun was warm. Hoss, Tess, Ann, Sue, and Little Joe all rode to school together. Adam went with them sometimes just to ride along and be with Ann. But not today. He was working with Pa around the ranch with some horses they were going to sell in the last part of October.

Hoss and Tess were so much in love that all they did on the way back from school was look at each other. Everyone else talked. School was pretty fun, but the rides home were the best part. Sometimes they would race or stop at the lake.

As the weeks passed, it got real cool, and they had to wear coats when they were outside. One day their teacher said, "The town is going to have a Halloween dance, I was told. So I thought the school should have a party, too. The same day of the dance. What do you all think?"

They all liked the idea.

The teacher said, "We’ll have cookies, apples, candy, and water or tea. And we’ll have time for games."

"Can we dress up?" Little Joe asked.

"Yes," she answered.

On the way home, they all talked about the party and the town dance. That night Little Joe said, "Pa, we’re having a Halloween party at school, and we can dress up in costumes if we want."

"You should dress up as a cowboy, Little Joe," Adam said. "You can have a play gun."

Ben said, "What about you, Hoss?"

"I ain’t dressin’ up," he said, "I’m too big for that."

Adam was gong to sell the horses a week before Halloween. He told Ann he would do his best to be home in time for the dance.

The week went by fast. Ann was sad. Already she missed Adam, and he’d only been gone for two days. Everybody was talking about the party and the dance.

Sue dressed as a farm girl, and so did Ann. They made their own costumes. Adam helped Little Joe with his costume before he left. Tess was a farm girl, too. The girls had agreed to all dress up the same. Hoss wore his cowboy hat but no special costume.

The day of the party everyone at school had dressed up, even the teacher, who came as a bride. The party was great, but Ann was sad. She wished Adam was there. On the way home everyone talked about the upcoming dance, but Ann was thinking about Adam and wondering if he’d make it home in time.

The town hall was ready for the dance. Little Joe told Ben about the party, the food and games they’d had at school.

Ben said, "I’m glad you had such a good time, son. You better do your chores now and get ready for the dance tonight."

Adam had sold the horses and was on his way back home. He knew he’d be late for the dance if he went home. But he needed to clean up. He got to the Ponderosa after everyone else had left for the dance. He washed up fast and headed for town.

Everyone was having a great time at the dance. Except Ann. She ran outside with tears in her eyes. Adam had just arrived in town when he saw Ann. He got off his horse and ran to her. "Sweetheart," he said, "I told you I would try to make it back for the dance."

"I know, Adam, but I missed you so much."

They went for a walk and Adam kissed her. She put her arms around him and said, "Adam, please don’t go away again anytime soon."

Adam said, "Let’s go dance." When they walked in, everyone looked at Adam and Ann and they smiled. Adam and Ann got on the dance floor and everyone started to dance and talk again.

Adam asked Ann what she’d dressed up as for the school party. She said she was a farm girl. He smiled and kissed her.

The End.